Codeine speedily becoming the new Cocaine-PSN

The Lagos Chapter Chairman of the Pharmaceutical
Society of Nigeria (PSN), Olugbega Olubowale has hinted that if the spate of abuse
of “Codeine” is not checked it may eventually replace the use of Cocaine as a
narcotic.

The Pharmacist, who also lamented the
rate at which young people are increasingly turning
to other prescription drugs to get high as well, noted that recent studies show
that “we actually have a monster in our hands.”

“PSN has been working with several
government agencies like NDLEA and some non-governmental organisations to stem
this tide, but still need help, especially in the area of parents and guardians
checking their wards,” he said.

Mr. Olubowale added: “Another drug
abused at a high rate is Tramadol. The current prescribed
grammage is 50mg, but you see people smuggle in up to 300mg through the borders
unchecked.

“We are not in any way advocating
the eradication of these drugs as they are effective when used
according to prescription. We are only saying everyone must join hands together
so we can curb this abuse before it becomes a monster that may consume
generations to come.”

Codeine is
an opiate used to treat pain, as a cough medicine, and for diarrhea. It
is typically used to treat mild to moderate degrees of pain. However, it
is being abused today by misguided youths and some adults, who see it as a recreational drug.